| Research | Publications | Funding | Group Members |
Block Polymer Thin Film Self Assembly
NASA Nebraska Space Grant
Nebraska EPSCOR
Ferlic Summer Scholarship
EPSCoR FIRST Award Recipient
Creighton University Summer Faculty Fellowship
Photovoltaic Thin Films
Omaha Public Power District: 2014 to present
NASA Nebraska Space Grant
Dental Materials
Dr. George F. Haddix President's Faculty Research Fund
Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship
Creighton University Summer Faculty Fellowship
Magnetic Materials
National Science Foundation
Faculty Research Incubator Award (Haddix Family)
Grants
--Funded
Expansion of Creighton University Energy Technology Program’s Commitment to Renewable Energies (Omaha Public Power District, $300,000 direct, 09/01/14 – 09/01/23, P.I. A.G. Baruth). This funding is for 1) investment in new photovoltaic research and analysis equipment for A. Baruth, 2) repair and replacement/upgrading of current Windspire installations on Creighton’s campus, 3) renewable energy and energy conservation related public outreach, and 4) research stipends for Energy Technology Program students.
--Completed (funded)
Student Fellowships 2021/2022 Markuson DiPrince (NASA Nebraska Space Grant & EPSCoR, $5000 direct, P.I. A.G Baruth). The award provides annual stipend for one student.
Student Fellowships 2021/2022 Grace Dirks (NASA Nebraska Space Grant & EPSCoR, $4000 direct, P.I. A.G Baruth). The award provides annual stipend for one student.
Student Fellowships 2021/2022 Natalie Schwartzenberger (NASA Nebraska Space Grant & EPSCoR, $5000 direct, P.I. A.G Baruth). The award provides annual stipend for one student.
MRSEC College Science Faculty and Students Research Opportunity (NSF MRSEC, UNL, $15,000 direct, 05/01/2021 – 08/01/2021. This is funding for a faculty-student pair for summer research at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. The award also provides a summer stipend for 1-2 students, Grace Dirks will be joining me.
Ferlic Undergraduate Research Scholarship (Creighton, $5000 direct, 06/01/20 – 9/1/20, P.I. A.G Baruth). The award provides a summer stipend for one student, Grace Dirks, and advisor. Declined.
MRSEC College Science Faculty and Students Research Opportunity (NSF MRSEC, UNL, $15,000 direct, 05/01/2020 – 08/01/2020. This is funding for a faculty-student pair for summer research at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. The award also provides a summer stipend for 1-2 students, Grace Dirks will be joining me. This was canceled due to Covid-19.
Acquisition of a Scanning Electron Microscope for Use in Undergraduate Research (Nebraska EPSCoR Major Research Instrumentation, $111,925 direct, 03/14/19 – 12/15/19, co-P.I. A.G. Baruth). This award provides for the acquisition of a scanning electron microscope.
Student Fellowships 2019/2020 Marcussen DiPrince (NASA Nebraska Space Grant & EPSCoR, $4000 direct, 09/01/19 – 3/31/20, P.I. A.G Baruth). The award provides annual stipend for one student, Max Marcussen DiPrince.
Ferlic Undergraduate Research Scholarship (Creighton, $5000 direct, 06/01/18 – 9/1/19, P.I. A.G Baruth). The award provides a summer stipend for one student, Son Nyugen, and advisor.
Studies of Carbon Nanodots with Atypical Morphologies (Dr. George F. Haddix President's Faculty Research Fund, Creighton University, $5,000 direct, 02/15/18-2/15/19, co-P.I. A.G. Baruth)
Ferlic Undergraduate Research Scholarship (Creighton, $5000 direct, 06/01/17 – 9/1/17, P.I. A.G Baruth). The award provides a summer stipend for one student, John Sunderland, and advisor.
Dean’s Undergraduate Research Scholarship (Creighton, $5000 direct, 06/01/17 – 9/1/17, P.I. A.G Baruth). The award provides a summer stipend for one student, Son Nguyen, and advisor.
Influence of Clinically Relevant CAD/CAM Zirconia Abutment Modification on Gingival Fibroblast Viability, Adhesion, and Normal Proliferation (Creighton University: Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship, $3,196 direct, 06/01/17 – 6/1/18, P.I. A.G Baruth). The award provides materials to study Zirconia surfaces following proprietary polishing protocols.
Student Fellowships 2017/2018 Sunderland (NASA Nebraska Space Grant & EPSCoR, $4000 direct, 09/01/17 – 3/31/18, P.I. A.G Baruth). The award provides annual stipend for one student, John Sunderland.
Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund: Impact 1.7 Million: Zoo Produces Solar Electricity for the Public to Experience (Nebraska Environmental Trust, $140,614 direct, 4/1/2016 – 6/1/2017, P.I. Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, A.G. Baruth, Partner). Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium proposes to install a solar photovoltaic (PV) system to demonstrate renewable electricity production for its 1.7 million visitors per year. The Zoo’s envisioned solar PV system will be unique because it will provide a hands-on interactive kiosk for the 1.7 million visitors to better understand its extensive environmental, health and financial benefits. We provided information and planning for kiosks, solar energy curriculum for summer camps and after school programming, as well as volunteered in educational capacities.
Influence of Clinically Relevant CAD/CAM Zirconia Abutment Modification on Gingival Fibroblast Viability, Adhesion, and Normal Proliferation (Creighton University: Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship, $1000 direct, 06/01/16 – 6/1/17, P.I. A.G Baruth). The award provides materials to study Zirconia surfaces following proprietary polishing protocols.
Student Fellowships 2016/2017 Nelson (NASA Nebraska Space Grant & EPSCoR, $6000 direct, 09/01/16 – 3/31/17, P.I. A.G Baruth). The award provides annual stipend for one student, Gunnar Nelson.
Honors Program Undergraduate Research Scholarship (Creighton, $5250 direct, 06/01/16 – 9/1/16, P.I. A.G Baruth). The award provides a summer stipend for one student, Nicholas Fischer, and advisor.
Student Fellowships 2015/2016 Nelson (NASA Nebraska Space Grant & EPSCoR, $3000 direct, 09/01/15 – 3/31/16, P.I. A.G Baruth). The award provides annual stipend for one student, Gunnar Nelson.
The Material Science of Dental Restoration Materials: Forming Collaborations between the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Dentistry (Dr. George F. Haddix President's Faculty Research Fund, Creighton University, $15,000 direct, 02/15/14-2/15/16, P.I. A.G. Baruth). The study will focus on dental restorative materials, a class of fabricated materials specifically designed for restoring tooth form and function. Several key issues exist, primarily in the areas of biocompatibility and physical wear, which must be fully addressed to evaluate their efficacy in a clinical setting. We propose that the establishment of new collaborations between the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Dentistry, which will enhance the study of dental materials and provide a meaningful experience for undergraduate students interested in pre-professional programming.
Ferlic Undergraduate Research Scholarship (Creighton, $5000 direct, 06/01/15 – 9/1/15, P.I. A.G Baruth). The award provides a summer stipend for one student, Gunnar Nelson, and advisor.
Directed Self-Assembly of Block Polymer Thin Films Via Solvent Vapor Annealing (Nebraska EPSCoR, $20,000 direct, $20,847 indirect, 01/01/15 – 09/01/15, P.I. A.G. Baruth). This proposal focuses on the systematic investigation of the solvent-assisted self-assembly process in block polymer thin films. We plan a series of experimental investigations in order to elucidate and control the parameters most critical to the directed self-assembly of block polymer thin films.
Student Fellowships 2014/2015 Yanchilin & Gnabasik (NASA Nebraska Space Grant & EPSCoR, $4000 direct, 09/01/14 – 3/31/15, P.I. A.G Baruth). The award provides annual stipends for two students, Ryan Gnabasik and Anton Yanchilin.
Omaha Youth’s Path to Passive Solar (Nebraska Academy of Sciences and the Nebraska Environmental Trust, $3,000 direct, 06/01/14 – 07/01/14 , P.I. A.G. Baruth). This is to help fund a three-week camp that will meet for three hours a day and focus on the design, installation and maintenance of convection and passive solar heating systems. The camp is open to all Nebraska youth and funding will help subsidize camp costs. Students are able to receive college credit though Creighton Summer Sessions under course number ERG 132 at an additional cost.
Ferlic Undergraduate Research Scholarship (Creighton, $5000 direct, 06/01/14 – 9/1/14, P.I. A.G Baruth). The award provides a summer stipend for one student, Ryan Gnabasik, and advisor.
Collaborative Research: Understanding and Supporting Student Intrinsic Motivation in STEM Courses (NSF TUES Type 2 Grant, 10/13-10/15, P.I. Jonathon Stolk, Role: Faculty Partner). Prior and emerging educational research suggests that understanding students’ motivational relationship to their learning experience could be a crucial insight necessary for a systemic shift toward high-level outcomes. This study will facilitate a deeper understanding of student motivation through analysis of motivation research data from undergraduate classroom contexts, and by coupling context-specific research data with course design tools that enable targeted instructor action to enhance intrinsic drive.
Solvent-induced ordering of self-assembled block copolymer thin films (Creighton University Graduate School, $4800 direct, 07/01/13-9/1/13, P.I. A.G. Baruth). The study will focus on the construction and testing of an advanced solvent vapor reaction chamber for block copolymer thin films. Such materials naturally self-assemble into a wide-range of morphologies (i.e., shapes); however, without direction, this order has little periodicity at large lateral length scales. The solvent-induced, directed ordering of self-assembled block copolymer thin films will allow access to these novel periodic nanostructures with unprecedented control and precision.
--Not Funded
Fundamental Interactions Between Oscillating Strain Fields and Magnetic Textures (National Science Foundation, $545,687 direct, 9/1/2022 – 9/1/2025, P.I., A.G. Baruth). Proposal focuses on the interaction between very high frequency sound waves, well above the limits of human hearing, and unique magnetic configurations – specifically ferromagnetic textures. The NSF panel summary stated that our proposal was "exciting and promising for a number of applications." Reviewer 1 stated that this project is "very exciting. This will definitely advance the knowledge within its own field and across different fields which includes acoustic physics, materials science, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering" and "If the PIs are successful, then this will be a breakthrough result.". Reviewers also recognized our expertise.
Quantum Electron Technology, Imaging, and 3D-Visualization (Nebraska NSF EPSCoR RII, $11,643,125 direct, 8/1/21 – 12/31/22, Outreach partner). This pre-proposal is a pre-cursor to a $25 million RII award to fund a 26-member collaboration across Nebraska using Quantum electron technology to enhance imaging at the nanoscale and investigating into utilizing 3D-visualization tools.
Studies of Carbon Nanodots with Atypical Morphologies (NSF, $387,594 direct, co-PI AG Baruth). The grant provides funding for a collaboration with Dr. Sidebottom (Creighton Physics) on the synthesis of carbon nanodots with atypical morphologies that have relevance in biological tagging and solar cell research.
REU Site: Undergraduate Research & Training in Chemical & Physical Biosciences at Creighton University (NSF, $351,699, co-PI AG Baruth). The grant provides funding to make Creighton on REU site.
Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award. The Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation, Inc. ($60,000, 9/17 – 9/22). 5-year award to recognize teacher-scholars in Chemistry.
Creighton Global Initiative. Solar Electricity for the Sienna/Francis House of Omaha, NE ($80,400, 2016)
Creighton Global Initiative. Creighton-Sponsored Solar Power for Mobile Clinics/Research Hospitals in Nigeria ($9,500, 2016). Joint submission with Andrew Ekpenyong
NSF MRI: Acquisition of a Multi-Purpose X-ray Diffractometer for Structural Characterization (National Science Foundation, $426,000 direct, 09/01/16 – 09/01/18, P.I. A. G. Baruth). Proposal to acquire a versatile, novice-friendly X-ray Diffraction (XRD) facility to provide critical information about the structural properties of materials at the atomic, molecular, and nanometer scale for a variety of disciplines, including physics and chemistry, as well as material, energy, biomedical, and pharmacy sciences. Specific measurement capabilities of the XRD system will include small and wide-angle XRD, reflectometry, microdiffraction and powder diffraction, all with the added capability of temperature control. These included XRD capabilities will be especially valuable to our emerging research programs pertaining to (i) earth-abundant photovoltaic materials, (ii) self-assembled block polymer thin films, (iii) drug-polymer complexes for drug delivery, (iv) clustering of simple sugars in solution, and (v) structural characterization of synthetic structures.
NSF MRI: Acquisition of a Multi-Purpose X-ray Diffractometer for Structural Characterization (National Science Foundation, $426,000 direct, 09/01/15 – 09/01/18, P.I. A. G. Baruth). Proposal to acquire a versatile, novice-friendly X-ray Diffraction (XRD) facility to provide critical information about the structural properties of materials at the atomic, molecular, and nanometer scale for a variety of disciplines, including physics and chemistry, as well as material, energy, biomedical, and pharmacy sciences. Specific measurement capabilities of the XRD system will include small and wide-angle XRD, reflectometry, microdiffraction and powder diffraction, all with the added capability of temperature control. These included XRD capabilities will be especially valuable to our emerging research programs pertaining to (i) earth-abundant photovoltaic materials, (ii) self-assembled block polymer thin films, (iii) drug-polymer complexes for drug delivery, (iv) clustering of simple sugars in solution, and (v) structural characterization of synthetic structures.
NSF CAREER: Directed Self-Assembly of Block Polymer Thin Films via Solvent Vapor Annealing (National Science Foundation, $326,311 direct, $137,097 indirect, 01/01/16 – 01/01/20, P.I. A. G. Baruth). The proposed research addresses a broad, long-term strategy to elucidate the key mechanisms involved in the solvent-assisted self-assembly of block polymer thin films and relating them to well-known properties of thermal annealing of single-component solids. In addition, the generality of this analogy to multiple block polymer systems with various polymer-polymer interaction parameters, surface energies and architectures is of supreme interest. Ultimately, identifying whether these analogs can be applied to highly immiscible blocks (providing the smallest potential feature size) is critical for the creation of any standardized nanolithography production scheme, which remains absent in this field.